Boat hoist



R. A. sTEARN ETAL 3,409,153

Nov. s, 196s` BOAT HOIST 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filled Dec. 22, 1966 m, n@ WW WA m43 .w mw x J HN N0 5, 1.968 R. A. sTc-:ARN ETAL y 3,409,153

BOAT HOIST Filed Dec. 22, 196e 3 Sheets-Sheet v2 v NO-V. 5, R, A, STEARN ET AL 3,409,153

BOAT HoIsT Filed Dec. 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 3,409,153 BOAT HOIST- Richard A. Steam, Arnold Petersen, and Norbert Lenius, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., assiguors to Marine Travelift, Inc., Sturgeon Bay, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 603,952 9 Claims. (Cl. 214-396) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a boat hoist which has a frame, a boat sling connected to the frame for supporting a boat and a plurality of wheels movably supporting the frame. The frame includes a pair of columns and a catch is mounted on one of the columns. An elongated arm has one end pivotedly mounted on the other of the columns. The elongated arm has a lock mounted on the free end thereof for releasable engagement with the catch. The lock includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw cooperative with the catch to lock the arm to the catch. A motor is connected to the arm and to the lock for raising and lowering the arm and operating the lock.

This invention relates to an improved construction for a boat hoist and more particularly to that type of boat hoist which is movable and includes a gate rwhich may be opened in onder to allow a portion of the boat to pass through the gate, and the gate may then be closed to provide a rigid structure to support a raised boat and transport the raised boat.

`In the operation of small craft, it becomes necessary to remove the small craft from the Iwater. A common method of removing the small craft is to use a boat hoist which is transported to a slip and then placing slings under the boat to raise the boat out of the water. The raised boat is then transported to a desired location for storage or maintenance. The customary construction of a boat hoist utilizes a frame which includes two generally U-shaped ends which are connected by beams. In the case of certain boats, especially sailboats, the mast of the sailboat may be higher than the cross-members of the U. In order to eliminate the need of dismantling the mast of a sailboat, it is customary to provide a gate at one of the ends of the hoist to allow the mast to pass through the gate and the gate is then closed to lock the hoist together in order to provide a rigid support structure.

In the ordinary operation of the prior art boat hoistsl the operation of the gate has been a common problem. Although the frame of the hoist is ordinarily a rigid structure, the construction of the hoist is such that often there is racking of the frame in the normal operation of the boat hoist. In many instances, the maintenance of the deck of a pier or wharf is such that the deck is not perfectly fiat and there may be depressions and rises in the deck. When the boat hoist is placed into position, one portion of the boat hoist may Ibe at a different level than another portion of the boat hoist so that there is racking of the frame. In the prior art construction of the gate, there must be virtually perfect alignment of the parts of the gate or the gate with other parts of the hoist for the gate to be operative, both in opening and in closing. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the instant invention to provide a boat hoist construction Iwherein normal racking of the frame inordinary operation vof the boat hoist has only a minimal adverse effect on the operation of a gate which constitutes a part of the boat hoist.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved boat hoist construction wherein the gate is operated by a single motor, in that, operation of a lock ice for the gate and opening and closing of the gate is accomplished by a single motor.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved boat hoist construction wherein the gate may be simply and economically manufactured.

Other objects and uses of the herein disclosed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following specification in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a boat hoist ernbodying the instant invention with a gate in an open position with a boat approaching the hoist;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the boat hoist shown in FIGURE 1, with the gate in a closed position and showing a boat supported fby the boat hoist;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the gate which constitutes a portion of the boat hoist shown in FIGURE l, with a portion of the gate broken away and showing the gate in a closed and locke-d attitude;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a fluid motor, which is connected to a column of the yboat hoist and to the gate;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a portion of a lock of the gate, showing the lock in engagement with a catch;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 showing a side elevation of a movable jaw which constitutes a portion of the lock;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the gate shown in FIGURE 3, with portions broken away in order to show details of construction and showing the gate in a closed and locked attitude;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URE 7, lbut showing a movable jaw in a partially unlocked position; and

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the gate of FIGURE 3, but showing the -gate in an unlocked and partially raised attitude.

Referring now to the drafwings, and especially to FIG- URE 1, a boat hoist embodying the instant invention and generally indicated by numeral 10 is shown positioned on a pier 12, having a slip 14, into which is partially positioned a ketch 16. The boat hoist 10 generally includes a frame 18 which is supported by two Idrive wheels 20 at one end, and t-wo gate wheels 22 at the other end. A power source 24 is mounted on the frame 18 to drive the two drive Wheels 20 and to provide a source of energy for raising a pair of slings 26 and 28.

The frame 18 includes a front U-shaped end 30, which is particularly adapted to receive side wheel loads, and a rear U-shaped end 32. The two ends are connected by substantially torsionally rigid beams 34 and 36. The front end 30 includes a pair of upright columns 38 and 40 which are connected by an upper beam 42 to complete thefU configuration. The rear U-shaped end 32 includes an upright column 44 and second upright column 46, which are fixed to beams 34 and 36, respectively. The upper portion of the end 32 includes a gate 48 which releasably connects the upright columns 44 and 46, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The slings 26 and 28 are connected to the ends 30 and 32, respectively, and the slings are raised and lowered in a conventional manner. The sling 26 includes a pair of belts 50 and 52, each of which has one end connected to a bar 54 and the other end connected to a bar S6. The bars 54 and 56 are connected to pulley systems 58, each of which pulley systems is connected to a respective winch 60, which is in turn driven by a conventional motor 62. The motors 62 are connected to a source of energy from the power source 24.

The sling 28 also includes a pair of belts 64 and 66, each of which having one end connected to a bar 68 and the other end connected to a bar 70, and each bar is 3 connected to a respective pulley system 72, which is also connected to a winch and motor to drive the winch.

The power source 24 includes an internal combustion engine, which is connected to a fluid pump. The pump has its output connected through conventional valving to a pair of fluid drive motors 76, one of which drive motors is mounted on a wheel frame 74 and other of which drive motors is mounted on a wheel frame 7S. The two motors are conventionally drivingly connected to drive wheels to provide a means for propelling the boat hoist.

Looking now to FIGURE 3, which better shows the details of construction of gate48, it may be seen that the gate 48 includes an elongated arm 78, which has one end pivotedly connected to the column 44, and a catch 80, which is mounted on the upper portion of the other upright column 46. A lock 82 is mounted on the free end of elongated arm 78 and is releasably engageable with the catch 80. A motor 84 is connected to column 44 and to the elongated arm 78 to raise and lower the arm and to operate the lock 82, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The column 44 has an arm mounting plate 86 fixed to its upper end and a pair of vertical mounting plates 88 fixed to plate 96, which plates 88 are spaced from each other. Extending through the plates 88 is an axle 90 which has pivotedly mounted thereon a head 92, which constitutes one end of the arm 78 and which head 92 is free to rotate relative to the plates 88. The arm 78 includes a tube 94 which is fixed to the head 92. Connected to the other end of tube 94 is the lock 82.

The lock 82 includes a pair of spaced, fixed jaw plates 96, which are fxedly connected to the free end of tube 94. Each of the jaw plates 96 includes a pair of ribs 98, which define a slide. Slideably mounted on the slide is a jaw guide pin 100 to which is fixed a movable jaw 102. The movable jaw 102 includes a stem 104 which is pivotedly connected to a pair of connector plates 106 through a jaw connector plate pin 108. The connector plates 106 are pivotedly connected to the tube 94 through a plate jaw pin 110 and fixed jaw plates 96. A connector link pin 112 is also pivotedly mounted in the connector plates 106 and the pin 112 is connected to an elongated tubular operator link 114, which has a yoke 116 connected to its other end. A guide pin 118 is connected to the yoke 116.

Mounted on the elongated arm 78 is a pair of guide plates 120, between which is mounted the yoke 116. Each of the guide plates includes a guide slot 122, and the guide pin 1118 is slideably mounted in both of the guide slots 122.

The motor 84 is a conventional double-acting hydraulic cylinder which has a pair of ears 124 fixed to one end. The ears are pivotedly connected to the vertical mounting plates 88 by means of a cylinder pin 126. The hydraulic cylinder includes a piston rod 128 which is pivotedly connected to the guide pin 118 within the yoke 116. The hydraulic cylinder derives its source of power from the pump in the power source 24.

As may be seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, the catch 80 includes a catch plate 130 mounted on top of column 46. The catch includes a jaw guide which jaw guide is formed by a pair of jaw guide plates 132 and 134, which are fixed to the catch plate 130. As may be clearly seen, the jaw guide plates generally define a V-shaped surface to engage the fixed jaw plates 96 and to guide the fixed jaw to the center of the catch. The catch 80 also includes a catch rod 136, which is fixed to the guide plates 132 and 134. The rod provides a convenient means for the lock 82 to engage and hold the catch 80, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The subject boat hoist operates in the following manner. The power source 24 provides sufiicient power to drive the motors 76 in order to move the boat hoist on the wheels. The operation of the power source and the fluid drive motors is conventional. The boat hoist is moved along pier 12 until the hoist is appropriately positioned to straddle slip 14. The slings 26 and 28 are then lowered into the water.

When a boat, such as, ketch 16 is to be lifted from the water, the gate 48 is opened so that the masts 138 and may pass through the end 32 and be positioned between the end 30 and the end 32. In order to open the gate, the motor 84 is activated; that is, hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied to the cylinder to retract the piston rod 128. As the piston rod is retracted, the guide pin 118 slides in the slots 122, thereby moving the operator link 114 relative to tube 94. As the operator link 114 moves toward the motor, the movement of the operator link causes the connector plates 106 to pivot about pin 110, The pivoting of the connector plates 106 causes the pin :108 to be lifted and moved toward the tube 94. This movement of the pin 108 causes jaw 102 to pivot about pin 100 and to move along guides 98 toward the tube 94, thereby disengaging the catch rod 136. As jaw 102 is retracted, catch rod 136 follows the jaw for a short distance, sufficient to clear the jaw plates 96, since columns 44 and 46 lean toward each other due to the pull of the slings, especially when the slings are supporting a boat. Column 44 leans further toward column 46 due to the weight of the gate when the gate is raised off catch rod 136. As may be seen in FIGURE 8, initial movement of the motor causes the movable jaw to disengage the catch rod and to be displaced laterally from the catch rod. Further movement of the piston rod 128 positions the guide pin 118 at the end 4of the slots 122. As the piston rod 128 is further retracted, the force of the motor is transmitted to the elongated arm 78 through the guide plates 120, thereby causing the elongated arm to pivot about axle 90. As the elongated arm pivots about axle 90, the fixed jaw plates 96 are raised from the catch rod 136, as may be seen in FIGURE 9. Further movement of the piston rod and the cylinder causes the gate 48 to assume the attitude shown in FIGURE 1. It should be noted that the -motor 84 provides the dual function of releasing the lock from the catch and also raising the elongated arm.

With the gate 48 in a raised attitude as shown in FIG- URE l, the boat is then moved into the slip and over the slings, as is conventional. The boat is appropriately positioned relative to the hoist and the slings are placed into engagement with the boats hull. With the boat in position, the -gate 48 is then closed. It is important to note that in the normal construction of wharves and piers, there are often holes and rises in the surface of the deck so that the boat hoist is not on a perfectly smooth surface. As often happens, there is racking of the frame of the boat hoist so that the column 46 is displaced from alignment with column 44. The displacement may be lateral, vertical or longitudinal. And the displacement is largely dependent upon the particular conditions of a given location of a given wharf.

In order to close the gate 48, and to securely connect the upper portion of column 44 to the upper portion of column 46, it is necessary for the lock to engage securely the catch. In order to close the gate, the fluid pressure t0 the motor 84 is relieved so that gravity carries the gate toward a closed position. It may be readily appreciated that the rate of closing of the gate may be easily regulated by the relief of fluid pressure.

As the gate moves toward the catch 80, it may be appreciated that toward final closing of the gate, the jaw guide plates of the catch guide the fixed jaw plates toward central location, should there be any longitudinal displacement of the catch. It should also be further noted that any vertical displacement is easily accommodated inasmuch as the fixed jaw moves vertically relative to the catch. The elongated arm is lowered until the fixed jaw plates engage the catch rod 136.

Fluid under pressure is applied to the cylinder to extend the piston rod 128. Thus, the piston rod causes the guide pin 118 to slide along guide slots 122 toward the fixed jaw plates. As the guide pin 118 moves toward the fixed jaw so does the operator link 114, thereby pivoting the connector plates 106 about the pin 110. The pivoting of the connector plates 106 causes the movable jaw 102 to slide in the guides 98 toward the catch rod 136. It should be noted that lateral displacement of the catch Within the width of the outline of the gap of lock 82 is accommodated by lateral movement of the movable jaw, thereby accommodating the lock to lateral displacement of the catch. The piston rod 128 is extended until the movable jaw is moved into its closed or locked position, as may be best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7. It is important to note that the lowering of the elongated arm and locking of the gate is accomplished by the same fluid motor which unlocked the gate and raised the gate.

Once the gate is closed and locked, the slings 26 and 28 are conventionally raised to lift the boat out of the water to the attitude shown in FIGURE 2. The boat is then conventionally transported to a desired location.

From the foregoing description, it may be seen that the instant construction of a boat hoist provides a simple and economical arrangement of parts in the gate. The gate may be simply operated and it accommodates itself to adverse conditions in use of the boat hoist.

Although a specific embodiment of the instant invention showing one best mode of embodying the invention has been shown and described in detail above, it is readily apparent that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. It is to be expressly understood that the subject invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a boat hoist having a frame including a pair of upright columns, a boat sling connected to said frame for supporting a boat, and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame for movably supporting the frame, the improvement comprising, a catch mounted on one of said upright columns, an elongated arm having one end pivotedly mounted on the other of said upright columns, a lock mounted on the other end of said elongated arm and being releasably engageable with the catch to secure releasably the other end of the elongated arm to said one of the upright columns, said lock including a fixed jaw mounted on the other end of said elongated arm and being releasably engageable with the catch and a removable jaw mounted on the other end of said elongated arm and being cooperative with the fixed jaw to secure releaseably said other end of the elongated arm to the catch on the one of said upright columns, said catch including a rod connected to said one of the upright columns for engagement with the fixed jaw and the movable jaw, and a motor connected to the arm and to the lock for raising and lowering the arm and opening and closing the lock.

2. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 1 including a pair of plates fixed to said one of the upright columns defining a generally V-shaped jaw guide and being engageable with the fixed jaw to guide the fixed jaw into position for engagement with the rod.

3. In a boat hoist having a frame including a pair of upright columns, a boat sling connected to said frame for supporting a boat, and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame for movably supporting the frame, the improvement comprising, a catch mounted on one of said upright columns, an elongated arm having one end pivotedly mounted on the other of said upright columns, a lock mounted on the other end of said elongated arm and being releasably engageable with the catch to secure releasably the other end of the elongated arm to said one of the upright columns, said lock including a fixed jaw mounted on the other of said elongated arms and being releasably engageable with the catch and a movable jaw mounted on the other end of said elongated arm and being cooperative with the fixed jaw to secure releasably said other end of the elongated arm to the catch on the one of said upright columns, a motor connected to the arm and to the lock for raising and lowering the arm and opening and closing the lock, a connector plate pivotedly connected at one point to the elongated arm ad` jacent to the other end of said elongated arm and pivotedly connected at a second point to the movable jaw, and an elongated operator link having one end pivotedly connected to the connector plate at a third point and at the other end connected to the motor. l

4. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 3 wherein the catch includes a rod connected to said one of the upright columns for engagement by the fixed jaw and the movable jaw.

5. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 4 including a pair of plates fixed to said one of the upright columns defining a generally V-shaped jaw guide for engagement With the fixed jaw to guide the fixed jaw into position for engagement with the rod.

6. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 3 including a. guide plate fixedly connected to the elongated arm adjacent to the one end of said elongated arm, said guide plate having an elongated guide slot, and a link pin connected to the other end of the operator link and being slideably mounted in the guide slot, whereby movement of the operator link in one direction retracts the movable jaw from cooperation with the fixed jaw and further movement of the operator link in the same direction positions the link pin in one end of the guide slot to cause the arm to move relative to the other of said upright columns with the operator link.

7. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 6 including a jaw gui-de connected to the elongated arm, and a jaw guide pin connected to the movable jaw and engageable with the jaw guide to control the movement of the movable jaw relative to the elongated arm.

8. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 3 including a jaw guide mounted on said one of the upright columns and being engagable with the fixed jaw to guide the fixed jaw into position for engagement with the catch.

9. In a boat hoist as defined in claim 3 wherein the motor is pivotedly connected to said other of the upright columns and is pivotedly connected to the operator link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,181,717 5/1965 Kumferman 214-394 3,247,990 4/1966 Prescott 214-508 3,272,362 9/1966 Lamer et al. 214-396 3,329,284 7/1967 Bogart et al. 214-396 X y ALBERT I. MAKAY, Primary Examiner.

ul.. l n n dhd91 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,409,153 November 5, 1968 Richard A. Stearn et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Signed and sealedY thisv 3rd day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

